Fire destroys El Cajon apartment

EL CAJON  Flames destroyed an apartment and smoke damaged three other units at a two-story El Cajon complex Monday afternoon, a fire official said.

Food left on the stove sparked the fire on Leslie Road near East Chase Avenue about 2:15 p.m., said Heartland Fire & Rescue spokeswoman Monica Zech. Firefighters from El Cajon and La Mesa put most of the fire out in about 20 minutes.

A family of five was displaced and Red Cross was called to assist them, Zech said.

The fire caused about $60,000 in damage to the property and its contents. No injuries were reported.